Is Salesforce (CRM) the Top Pick in Chris Rokos' 2025 Stock List? A Deep Dive
Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) has been highlighted as a key holding in billionaire Chris Rokos’ “10 Best Stocks to Buy” list for 2025, ranking sixth among the recommended positions. But is it truly the best stock to buy in Rokos’ portfolio, or does its place reflect a more nuanced strategic bet? Let’s dissect the data.
Ask Aime: Is Salesforce (CRM) really the best stock to buy in 2025, or is it a strategic bet reflecting broader market trends?
Rokos’ Position: Salesforce as a Core Holding, Not the Star
As of Q4 2024, Rokos Capital Management held $156.3 million in salesforce stock, with 162 hedge funds also owning stakes in the company. This institutional backing underscores Salesforce’s status as a stable, enterprise-focused tech giant. Yet, the rankings reveal a hierarchy: Salesforce trails Meta (META, 3rd), Amazon (AMZN, 5th), and even Bank of America (BAC, 8th) in Rokos’ list.
The Case for Salesforce: Strong Fundamentals and AI Momentum
Salesforce’s Industries division—its specialized platform for sectors like healthcare and finance—reported $5.7 billion in annual recurring revenue in FY2025, a 20% year-over-year jump. This outpaces the company’s overall revenue growth of 9%, signaling strategic success in vertical-specific solutions.
Ask Aime: Is Salesforce a good investment for 2025?
Salesforce’s AI advancements, particularly its Agentforce platform, are central to its value proposition. Agentforce aims to streamline customer engagement by analyzing data from Salesforce’s Data Cloud, which processes 8 trillion data points daily. Truist Securities recently reaffirmed a Buy rating with a $400 price target (), citing AI-driven growth and institutional confidence.
The Caveat: Salesforce Isn’t the “Best” in AI’s Fast Lane
While Salesforce is a pillar of Rokos’ portfolio, the list emphasizes that AI-focused stocks hold greater near-term appeal. An unnamed AI stock, described as trading at “less than 5x its earnings,” is positioned as a diamond-in-the-rough with potential for a 10,000% return over a decade. By contrast, Salesforce’s valuation—already elevated by its enterprise dominance—makes it a long-term hold rather than a speculative high-flyer.
Moreover, Rokos’ priority for short-term volatility plays shines through. The list’s top performers, like Meta and Amazon, benefit from both established revenue streams and AI-driven innovation. Meanwhile, Salesforce’s 6th-place ranking hints at its role as a “safe” bet in a portfolio tilted toward riskier, faster-growing AI names.
Comparisons to Competitors: Why Salesforce Lags in the Rankings
Let’s break down Salesforce’s position relative to its peers:
- Meta (META): At 3rd place, Meta’s $274.54 million stake reflects its dominance in advertising and AI (via its Llama model). Its 59% net income surge in 2024 outpaces Salesforce’s growth.
- Amazon (AMZN): Ranked 5th, Amazon’s $216.67 million holding highlights its dual strengths in e-commerce and cloud computing. Its $100 billion 2025 capex, heavily AI-focused, dwarfs Salesforce’s capital allocation.
- Morgan Stanley (MS): Even Morgan Stanley, at 10th, benefits from its Q1 2025 earnings surge (26% YoY) and equity trading gains, which Salesforce’s B2B software model can’t match in terms of volatility-driven returns.
The Bottom Line: A Solid Choice, But Not the Best
Salesforce is undeniably a robust investment, underpinned by its 150,000+ enterprise clients and AI-enhanced cloud solutions. Truist’s $400 price target—18% above current levels—suggests further upside. However, Rokos’ list prioritizes higher-growth, under-the-radar AI plays over established giants.
Investors should weigh Salesforce’s stability against the allure of cheaper, high-potential AI stocks. For long-term portfolios, CRM is a buy. For those chasing explosive returns, Rokos’ emphasis on the unnamed AI stock—a “future disruptor” trading at a fraction of its earnings—may offer greater upside.
Conclusion: Salesforce Is Reliable, but the AI Race Has Faster Horses
Salesforce’s inclusion in Rokos’ top 10 is a vote of confidence in its fundamentals. Its AI advancements and institutional backing make it a safe bet for investors seeking steady growth. Yet, the list’s focus on AI’s inflection point—comparing it to the early internet era—suggests that the real action lies elsewhere.
The data is clear:
- Salesforce’s 20% revenue growth in Industries is impressive, but it trails Meta’s 22% total revenue growth and Amazon’s record margins.
- The unnamed AI stock’s valuation (<5x earnings) contrasts sharply with Salesforce’s P/E of ~30x, making it a better value play.
In short, Salesforce (CRM) is a good stock to buy—but not the best in Rokos’ vision of 2025’s market. For now, it’s a hold for stability, not a sprint to $400.
Stay tuned for further analysis on the “hidden AI stock” shaping this year’s rankings.